MUSEUM POLISH - COA05
Prior to 1950, the only surface protectors / polishes available were based on beeswax and carnuba wax. Unfortunately, these natural, saponifiable products would cause damage when acids arose spontaneously through oxidation or hydrolysis. To address these problems a scientist at the British Museum created a new wax. The revolutionary formula he invented is a semisynthetic microcrystalline fossilorigin wax entirely free of, damaging acids. It remains chemically neutral and is therefore completely safe, even on vulnerable surfaces.
The British Museum approved manufacture for its own use and for distribution to the public.
Restores and Enhances
Revitalise and return your objects to pristine condition. Microcrystalline wax buffs easily to a hard, transparent finish that will not discolour; renews fading colours and "tired finishes;" retains matte finish when unpolished; buffs to a high gloss; reduces shine of new picture varnish.
Polishes and Protects
Guard your precious pieces against the damaging effects of humidity, heat, dust, environmental destruction, aging and ordinary wear. Microcrystalline wax provides a barrier against fingerprints and the devastation of water, wine, alcohol and other spills. With its high moisture resistance, it forms a durable, lustrous protective coating. A little goes a long way... and lasts a long time
Excellent spread and indefinite shelf life make microcrystalline wax economical and convenient, even for very large objects and infrequent use. A small dab goes a long way, unlike most waxes that need generous application.
Use a minimal amount of microcrystalline wax, rub lightly, and buff if a gloss is desired. The long-lasting preservation reduces the need for frequent maintenance. Airtight container keeps wax in perfect condition; always spreadable, no caking or drying out; indefinite shelf life; no "polish smell;" no added fragrance to endanger material.
Safe for all these materials... wood, raw and finished, leather, parchment and paper, metal silver, silver plate, gold, copper and copper alloys (bronze, brass, tin, zinc, German silver, nickel, lead and pewter, iron and iron alloys, tin and tin alloys, Damascus; stone, marble, onyx, limestone, granite, brick, tile, terrazzo, obsidian, alabaster; gems, glass, porcelain, holloware, bone, ivory, horn, shell and mother-of-pearl, gutta percha, dammars; gilding and gold leaf, patinas, enamel, lacquer, Japanning, cloute, Pose d'Or, pique point, varnish, marbleizing, stains and artificial graining; plastics, formica, paints, polyvinyl acetates, esters of polymethyacrylic, polycyclohexanones, fiberglass epoxy resins, firearms and much more!
Useful for all these products... furniture antique and new; sculpture, porcelain, pottery and ceramics; cutlery knives, swords, armour; jewellery, carvings, antiquities, bibelots, hardware, wood interiors, fine books, clocks, paintings, oils, acrylics, gouaches, tempera, alkyds, pastels, oil sticks, Martins dyes, India inks, photographic prints, engraving, scrimshaw, architectural ornaments.
Plus... automobiles, boats and yachts, decoys, golf clubs, frames, kitchen cabinets, counters, appliances, and much more!
Microcrystalline wax polish is widely encountered in antique restoration and museum curation. Although not appropriate for all materials, it is known to and used by almost every collection.
It is also used as a primary finish for cabinetry and furniture. Microcrystalline wax is also used by reenactors of historic swordsmanship to protect arms and armour. It is widely recognised that this substance is more protective and longer lasting than oil, especially for swords, helmets and firearms that are frequently touched by human hands.
It should be pointed out that this microcrystalline wax is a surface protective coating. For it to be effective all parts of a technological functional object, such as a gun, need to be completely dismantled by a competent / qualified arms conservation and restoration specialist / gunsmith / museum curator and all the parts properly cleaned, treated and stabilized. The microcrystalline wax needs to be applied to all internal surfaces and several coats where dissimilar materials, such as a wooden gunstock, when reassembled are in contact with a metal part.
The microcrystalline wax will act as a protective separator. This wax will lift oil, dirt and the murky accretions of other polishes. The surface detail remains crystal clear through unlimited applications of this translucent wax; removes previous wax build up; reveals fine detail and wood grain; non-staining, nonabrasive.
Microcrystalline wax coatings for conservation are most widely, and least controversially, applied to metals. This has several objectives: to produce a barrier that excludes moisture and oxygen from the metal surface, to ensure against further introduction of contaminating elements by handling, and to provide a protective layer over anticorrosion under coatings. Microcrystalline wax should not be applied to materials with deliberately loose or powdery surfaces.
Thanks to Dr John Osborne, of Osborne Arms Museum, for these notes.
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